Celeste stared, disbelieving. “A demon lord took his head with a hellfire sword.”

He lifted his gaze toward heaven. “The Almighty works in mysterious ways. And now that the mine will be under new ownership, I expect divinity production to reach a record high. An exciting time for Goetia.”

She stared at the man. She knew he was dishonest, but she still found herself in shock. “The new owner wouldn’t happen to be you, would it, Mr. Ibrahim?”

“Why, Miss Semyaza, what a clever mind you have.”

“Did you set Mariel up from the beginning?”

“You will not believe me, but no. We had nothing to do with Daniel’s murder, as your Lilitha will no doubt testify. But his death did afford us an opportunity, and heaven bless you, Miss Semyaza, you rose to the occasion and allowed that opportunity to flourish into good fortune, indeed.”

“You used me.”

“Of course.”

“He tried to kill me.”

“But he did not succeed.” He leaned in. “I do apologize for that, but all’s well that ends well, yes?” Above them, a bell tolled the hour. “It is almost time. Why don’t you go talk to Mariel and prepare her for the good news? I’ll see you within the chamber at the hour.”

“There’s one other thing,” Celeste said quickly. “A mechanical trike. I left it at Tabor’s laboratory.”

“I will inquire as to its fate. Is there anything else?”

“No. Thank you.”

Ibrahim waved a waiting Virtue over, an anonymous face behind a white mask marked with Chamuel’s scales of justice. “Take the advocatus to see the accused. Oh, and my pin?”

Celeste made a show of checking her pockets. “I don’t have it,” she lied. “I must have lost it at Tabor’s lab.”

Irritation flashed across his face. “Perhaps it will show up. If you do find it, I expect you will return it.”

“Of course,” she acceded.

“If you’ll excuse me.” And then he was gone.

She wasn’t sure why she kept his pin. It was petty, but if she could cause him even the smallest inconvenience, she wished to do it. Besides, it might be useful in the future.

She followed the Virtue to the now familiar elevator. This time, the elevator stopped only a floor below the main level and opened onto a plain but well-lit hallway. He led her down a row of cells, half of them populated by men who looked like the kind of common criminal one found on any given night along Perdition. They shouted and rattled the bars as they passed, but Celeste kept her gaze forward.